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Feb 20, 2008 4:00 pm US/Eastern
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Health: Using Acupuncture To Look Younger
PHILADELPHIA (CBS 3) ―
In health, Medical Reporter Stephanie Stahl has details on a new use for an ancient therapy that is helping people look younger and is growing in popularity.
Dozens of tiny needles, strategically placed.
No, it's not torture, it is a quick and painless way to make skin tighter and younger looking.
"I think it's amazing and I really have tried so many other alternatives," said acupuncture patient Terri Ackerman.
She made the discovery by accident. She initially tried acupuncture to ease pain in her neck and jaw.
"It did have cosmetic benefits as a sort of added benefit," said Terri.
It's called an acupuncture facelift. The needles known for relieving pain are becoming a popular beauty treatment.
"Acupuncture needles are very tiny. They're coated with silicone so they glide right in," said Sheri McLellan Kraus, an acupuncturist with the Healing Arts Center of Philadelphia.
According to Chinese medicine, wrinkles are caused by a weakness and imbalance of qi, an energy that nourishes cells through pathways called meridians.
"When we stimulate certain points on different meridians, we see an increase in blood flow and this qi energy to the face," McLellan Kraus said.
"By bringing more blood flow to those places, you can firm up and tighten muscles," said Sheri.
Results can be seen after a series of 10 treatments which costs about $895 dollars. The benefits are supposed to last three to five years with occasional refreshers.
"More people are coming in for cosmetic acupuncture because it's a more natural approach," said Sheri.
That's what hooked Terri. She says there's an added benefit. It's extremely relaxing but when the procedure is over.
"You feel very energized afterwards," said Terri.
There have been no scientific studies on acupuncture helping skin tone and the results are not as dramatic as with a surgical facelift.
RELATED LINKS:
The Healing Arts Center of PhiladelphiaCosmetic Acupuncture Seminarssherimclellan@gmail.com
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